A fundamental concern dating back to the 1940s, but still true today, is the interest in keeping priority wildlife populations abundant through conservation of key seasonal habitats. Conserving wildlife habitat and providing compatible outdoor recreation are considered by many citizens to be important endeavors that support Montana’s way of life.
In the 1980s, conservationists discussed the possibility of setting aside consistent funding for the Department for purchasing priority habitats when they became available and, of equal importance, to provide consistent funding for managing properties once acquired.
The 1987 Montana Legislature saw the introduction of HB 526, which would be funded with hunting license fees. The debate was between those who did not want the Department buying land and those who saw habitat conservation as the foundation for maintaining priority wildlife populations.
The compromise by the legislature was authority given to the Department to purchase interests in land, with the legislature directing the agency to attempt conservation easements or lease before fee title acquisition. Fee title purchase was still allowed because the legislature understood the landowner would determine which method was in their best interest.
HB 526 became reality and is currently generating about $5-6 million per year for conserving “important habitat that is seriously threatened." Approximately 92% of revenue for this program comes from nonresident hunting licenses. Habitat Montana also generates about $750,000 annually for conducting maintenance work.
Over the program’s history, FWP’s work on wildlife land projects have varied. Early efforts using Habitat Montana funds focused on expanding existing wildlife management areas such as the Blackfoot-Clearwater (deer and elk winter range), Judith River (elk winter range) and Ninepipe (wetlands/waterfowl and pheasant habitat) or acquiring new WMA’s such as Robb/Ledford (elk winter range), Dome Mtn.(elk winter range), and Mt. Silcox (bighorn sheep winter range).
With the establishment of the Forest Legacy Program in Montana, FWP broadened the scope of habitat conservation to include high priority forest lands that are at risk of conversion. This has resulted in a number of predominantly forested lands enrolled in FWP conservation easements, including the Thompson-Fisher, North Swan, Kootenai Forestlands, and Haskill Basin.
